Well, most Judo throws hinge on getting below someone's center of gravity, so a taller person is at a de-facto disadvantage against a shorter. Of course, a discrepancy in skills can make up for that, but I am presenting things in a vacuum here. If you are taller, you are going to have to get lower and be more explosive against a shorter person than you would against someone your size. Careful about Osoto-gari, there's a big gap between how it is taught in most places and the way it is actually (successfully) executed against a resisting uke or in competition...

In Ouchi Gari, the critical factor is to get uke weight "pinned" onto his heels. The center of gravity issue isn't as much of a factor because Ouchi Gari is a "down throw", with no "lifting" involved.

A taller person can do it against a shorter person easier than say, O Goshi or Seoi Nage. The advantage of reach is present, and a higher grip on uke can help as well.

All body types have advantages and "disadvantages" in Judo (and other sports as well, I suppose). The key is to maximize the efficiency with which one uses what one has.

As far as Osoto Gari goes, true most version in competition are some sort of cross body variation, but a very solid grounding in the basics of the throw in it's more traditional versions is a good way to start.

Ben

Falling for Judo since 1980

"You are wrong. Why? Because you move like a pregnant yak and talk like a spazzing 'I train UFC' noob." -DCS

In Ouchi Gari, the critical factor is to get uke weight "pinned" onto his heels. The center of gravity issue isn't as much of a factor because Ouchi Gari is a "down throw", with no "lifting" involved.

A taller person can do it against a shorter person easier than say, O Goshi or Seoi Nage. The advantage of reach is present, and a higher grip on uke can help as well.

All body types have advantages and "disadvantages" in Judo (and other sports as well, I suppose). The key is to maximize the efficiency with which one uses what one has.

As far as Osoto Gari goes, true most version in competition are some sort of cross body variation, but a very solid grounding in the basics of the throw in it's more traditional versions is a good way to start.

Ben

Agreed. I should have mentioned that by "most throws", I meant all the hip throws, shoulder throws etc. Not sure all the throws that involve moving in and under uke's center of gravity actually constitute "most throws", so maybe I should have said "many throws". Anyway, leg reach is an advantage on some throws, so I'd still rather be the short and stocky guy (which I'm not) than the tall and lanky one (I'm not him either, actually) :)

Not that I'm giving up on it, but **** ouchi! God, it's so awkward for me for some reason. That and ippon seoi, morote feels better for whatever reason.

I'm going to try ko-uchi for awhile to see if it helps ouchi click.

On the good news side, tsurikomi is looking/feeling better for me.

Yeah, it can be frustrating for sure. My go-to ashi waza was Kouchi Gari during my prime competition years...because I never could quite get the hang of Ouchi Gari. I studied the hell out of it, and I'm a lot better now, but it's still something I rarely use in randori.

However, my students for the most part are much better at applying it in randori/competition than I ever was (Ouchi Gari). So I'm better at teaching it than doing it.

Try Kouchi to Ouchi and see if that helps with getting into position.'

If you can post some video that would help with specifics. Don't give up on the throw, though.

Falling for Judo since 1980

"You are wrong. Why? Because you move like a pregnant yak and talk like a spazzing 'I train UFC' noob." -DCS

However, you really do need a degree of flexibility/mobility for several throws where yoyr body structure can help or hinder depending on your hand nature dealt to you.

Remember, it's all relative to the relative size of uke and tori for the most part. If you are 6'4 and your uke is your height or taller, then the normal carrying throws shouldn't be that hard to learn. The problem is with shorter uke and "bad" uke.

Falling for Judo since 1980

"You are wrong. Why? Because you move like a pregnant yak and talk like a spazzing 'I train UFC' noob." -DCS

Not that I'm giving up on it, but **** ouchi! God, it's so awkward for me for some reason. That and ippon seoi, morote feels better for whatever reason.

I'm going to try ko-uchi for awhile to see if it helps ouchi click.

On the good news side, tsurikomi is looking/feeling better for me.

Ippon Seoi is tougher because you let go of uke and regrip with the under the armpit hook. So it takes much finer body control to make it work.

I started off with Morote Seoinage and eventually went more to Ippon, but after a while which one I did depended on which one felt best at the time, and that wasn't something I gave much if any conscious though to.

Falling for Judo since 1980

"You are wrong. Why? Because you move like a pregnant yak and talk like a spazzing 'I train UFC' noob." -DCS